Salmi 27:3 Commento

Some think David penned this psalm before his coming to the throne, when he was in the midst of his troubles, and perhaps upon occasion of the death of his parents; but the Jews think he penned it when he was old, upon occasion of the wonderful deliverance he had from the sword of the giant, when Abishai succoured him (Sa2 21:16, Sa2 21:17) and his people thereupon resolved he should never venture his life again in battle, lest he should quench the light of Israel. Perhaps it was not penned upon any particular occasion; but it is very expressive of the pious and devout affections with which gracious souls are carried out towards God at all times, especially in times of trouble. Here is, I. The courage and holy bravery of his faith (Psa 27:1-3). II. The complacency he took in communion with God and the benefit he experienced by it (Psa 27:4-6). III. His desire towards God, and his favour and grace (Psa 27:7-9, Psa 27:11, Psa 27:12). IV. His expectations from God, and the encouragement he gives to others to hope in him (Psa 27:10, Psa 27:13, Psa 27:14). And let our hearts be thus affected in singing this psalm. A psalm of David.

INTRODUCTION TO PSALM 27 A Psalm of David. The Septuagint interpreters add to this title, "before he was anointed". David was anointed three times, first when a youth in his father's house; but this psalm could not be written before that time, because he had not had then any experience of war, nor could be in any immediate apprehension of it, as here suggested; he was anointed a second time, after the death of Saul at Hebron, by the men of Judah; before that time indeed he had been harassed by Saul, and distressed by the Amalekites, and was driven from the public worship of God, to which he has a respect, Psa 27:4; and he was a third time anointed, by the elders of Israel, king over all Israel; and between the death of Saul and this unction there was a war between the house of David and the house of Saul; but what is referred to is not certain, nor is it of moment, since these words are neither in the Hebrew text, nor in the Chaldee paraphrase. Theodoret is of opinion this psalm was written by David when he fled from Saul, and came to Ahimelech the priest.

Though an host should encamp against me,.... An host of the ungodly, as the Targum; though ever so many of them, even ten thousands of them, as in Psa 3:6; should beset him on every side; my heart shall not fear; for not only the angels of the Lord encamped about him, as they do about all that fear the Lord; but salvation was appointed for walls and bulwarks about him; yea, the Lord himself was a wall of fire around him, and he was kept as in a garrison by the power of God; though war should rise against me: in all its terrible shapes: in this will I be confident; either in this war, in the midst of it; or in this that he had expressed, Psa 27:1; that the Lord was his light, his salvation, and the strength of his life; so the Jewish writers (e): or as others (f), in this one thing, desired in Psa 27:4; but either of the former senses is best, especially the latter of them. Saints need not be afraid, though there is a war within them between the flesh and spirit; and though without are fightings with Satan and his principalities and powers; since they may be confident of victory, and that they are more than conquerors, through Christ that has loved them. (e) Jarchi, Kimchi, & Aben Ezra in loc. (f) Some in Aben Ezra in loc.

You see steadfastness and vigor of the soul that keeps the commandments of God and has the confidence of uncreated liberty.

It may be that these words are spoken by the prophet of no one else but the Savior, who feared no one because of the light and salvation given from the Father and who was afraid of no one because of the protection with which God shielded him. And his heart was not at all fearful when the entire host of Satan encamped against him. His heart, filled with sacred teachings, hoped in God when war rose up against him.

"If camps stand together against me, my heart will not fear." But if the multitude of gain-sayers conspire to stand together against me, my heart will not fear, so as to go over to their side. "If war rise up against me, in this will I trust" [Psalm 27:3]. If the persecution of this world arise against me, in this petition, which I am pondering, will I place my hope.

Having such wonderful experience of assistance, he is saying, even should two or three times the number of enemies try to attack me, I would brave the difficulties, armed with this hope.

One who follows the active life wages war by his own virtues with alien virtues. One who follows the contemplative life using true dogmas destroys every thought opposed to the knowledge of God.

"If armies should stand." A man ought to have security in two respects. First, in the preparation of evils. Second, in their endurance, at "I shall rise up." He says therefore: the Lord is thus my light, because enemies fall before me. The Gloss says: "If armies should stand against me," camps are where soldiers have stood; "my heart shall not fear." As long as a man is in camp, he does not fight but plans and deliberates for fighting. By "camps" are understood the counsels and conspiracies of the wicked against someone. 2 Kgs. 19: "The angel of the Lord struck the camp of the Assyrians": Ex. 14: "It happened in the morning watch, and behold, the Lord rose above the camps and struck them." "My heart shall not fear," because the Lord is with me: Job 17: "Place me beside you, and let any man's hand fight against me." But "if battle should rise up against me," that is, if they should already attack me and fight against me, though they be many, "in this I shall hope": because as it is said in 1 Macc. 3: "Victory in battle is not in the multitude of the army, but strength comes from heaven." For it is the custom of friends to help their friends when they are attacked by enemies: Ps. 93: "Your consolations have gladdened my soul."

With a general strain of confidence, hope, and joy, especially in God's worship, in the midst of dangers, the Psalmist introduces prayer for divine help and guidance. (Psa 27:1-14) light--is a common figure for comfort. strength--or, "stronghold"--affording security against all violence. The interrogations give greater vividness to the negation implied.

In the greatest dangers. in this--that is, then, in such extremity.